Mario Lopez
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| Mario Lopez | |
|---|---|
 Lopez at the 81st Academy Awards, February 20, 2009 |
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| Born | Mario Michael Lopez, Jr. October 10, 1973 San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor/model/Host/Author |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Spouse | Ali Landry (April 24, 2004 - May 8, 2004), annulled |
| Partner | Courtney Laine Mazza (2008 – present) |
| Children | Gia Lopez (born on September 11, 2010) |
| Website | |
| mariolopez.net | |
Mario Michael Lopez, Jr. (born October 10, 1973)[1] is an American television host, Model and actor who has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway. He is best known for his portrayal of the character A.C. Slater on Saved By The Bell, which he also portrayed as a regular on Saved by the Bell: The College Years. He has appeared in numerous projects since, including the third season of Dancing with the Stars and as a celebrity guest host for the syndicated entertainment news magazine show Extra. He currently hosts America's Best Dance Crew for MTV.
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[edit] Early life
Lopez was born in San Diego in 1973, the son of Elvia, a telephone clerk, and Mario Michael Lopez, Sr., who worked for the municipality of National City.[2] He was raised in a large Catholic family with a younger sister Marissa.[3][4][5] Lopez was a high school wrestler. In 1987, his freshman year, he took 7th place at the State tournament.[citation needed] He graduated from Chula Vista High School in 1991.
[edit] Acting career
Mario Lopez's professional career began in 1984 when he appeared as younger brother Tomás in the short-lived ABC comedy series a.k.a. Pablo.[6] That same year, he was cast as a drummer and dancer on Kids Incorporated. In March 1987, he was cast as a guest star on the popular sitcom The Golden Girls as a Cuban boy named Mario who faces deportation. In 1989, Lopez was cast as A.C. Slater in the popular television sitcom Saved by the Bell, a role which lasted five years. Lopez's character was a masculine, athletic student, helping to garner the actor a sizeable teenage-girl fan base. After Saved by the Bell ended in 1993, Lopez went on to reprise his role as A.C. Slater in the short-lived spin-off series Saved by the Bell: The College Years.
In 1997, Lopez starred as Olympic diver Greg Louganis in the television movie Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story. The following year, he was cast as Bobby Cruz in the USA Network series Pacific Blue. Lopez left the series after two seasons and went on to guest star on Resurrection Blvd., Eve, and The Bad Girl's Guide. In March 2006, Lopez joined the cast of the daytime soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful playing the role of Dr. Christian Ramirez. On July 18, 2006, he was released from his B&B contract.[7] Later that year, he guest-starred as a plastic surgeon who drives Christian Troy to jealousy when he sees him naked in the shower in an episode of FX Network's Nip/Tuck during the show's fourth season, which began in Fall 2006. He also made an appearance on The George Lopez Show as a police officer in late 2006.
Lopez and his girlfriend, Courtney, have a reality show on VH1 called Mario Lopez: Saved By the Baby which premiered on November 1, 2010.[8]
[edit] Dancing with the Stars
In the fall of 2006, Lopez signed on as a contestant on the third season of Dancing with the Stars on ABC with professional partner and then-girlfriend Karina Smirnoff who was making her series debut. They finished in second place, losing to the team of Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke, despite scoring higher than them on average and despite "breaking all the rules" when he broke the hold on both his 2nd and 3rd week during his Quickstep and Tango.
[edit] Hosting duties
In 1992, he hosted his first series on NBC called Name Your AdventureicleID=10048 |work=The Harvard Independent |date=2006-11-09 |accessdate=2007-03-18}}[dead link]</ref>
He also works part time as a boxing analyst for Top Rank Promotions covering Manny Pacquiao/Top Rank promoted fights worldwide.
He is currently hosting the MTV reality show America's Best Dance Crew and MTV's Top Pop Group. Lopez is both the host (with Carmen Palumbo) and co-executive producer of Sí TV's Dating Factory.
Lopez has signed a deal with Celsius, a popular calorie-burning functional drink, to be their spokesperson in 2010.
On August 28, 2010, Lopez hosted the Pageant of the Masters[9] in Laguna Beach, California.
On November 13, 2011, Lopez hosted the Grove Christmas Tree Lighting in Los Angeles. On December 25, 2011 Lopez hosted the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade.
On February 06, 2012, Lopez co-hosted The Wendy Williams Show, where he also showed off his new underwear range RatedM.[10]
[edit] Stage career
Lopez made his Broadway debut on April 15, 2008, in the revival of A Chorus Line in the role of Zach.[11][12]
[edit] Books
Lopez has published two non-fictional books so far. The first one, Mario Lopez Knockout Fitness, was published in 2008 and written together with Jeff O'Connell (who had previously written a fitness book with LL Cool J). A cookbook, Extra Lean, with various recipes followed in early 2010 and became a New York Times bestseller.[13] A third book, Extra Lean Family, followed in May 2011. He plans to release a children's book entitled "Mario and Baby Gia" which will be released by Celebra Children’s Books (a division of Penguin Books), on September 27, 2011. The book will be about Lopez and his infant daughter Gia.[14]
[edit] Personal life
Lopez is a Catholic who goes to church every week.[3] He married Ali Landry on April 24, 2004, in a Catholic ceremony in front of 50 guests at the exclusive Las Alamandas resort outside Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.[15] Two weeks later their marriage was annulled over alleged infidelities committed by Lopez during the relationship.[15] He dated Karina Smirnoff, his DWTS partner, from 2006 to June 2008. Since the fall of 2008, Lopez has been in a relationship with Broadway dancer Courtney Laine Mazza. In March 2010, it was announced that Lopez and Mazza were expecting a child.[16] Their daughter, Gia Francesca Lopez, was born on September 11, 2010, in Burbank, California.[17][18] The couple became engaged over the 2011-2012 New Year's weekend.[19]
Lopez identifies himself as a conservative politically.[20]
[edit] Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1984–1986 | Kids Incorporated | Mario | TV |
| 1986 | Chartbusters | Direct-to-video release | |
| The Deacon Street Deer | Hector | TV movie | |
| 1987 | The Golden Girls | Mario | 1987 (1 episode) |
| 1987 | The Last Fling | Car rental clerk | TV movie |
| 1988 | Colors | Felipe's Friend | |
| 1989 | Saved by the Bell | A.C. Slater | 1989-1993 (87 episodes) |
| 1992 | Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style | A.C. Slater | TV movie |
| 1993 | Saved by the Bell: The College Years | A.C. Slater | 1993-1994 (19 episodes) |
| 1994 | Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas | A.C. Slater | TV movie |
| 1995 | Saved by the Bell: The New Class | A.C. Slater | "Goodbye, Bayside Part 2" |
| 1996 | Depraved | Jessie Mata | |
| Fever Lake | Steve | Direct-to-video release | |
| Saved by the Bell: The New Class | A.C. Slater | "Fire at the Max Part 2" | |
| El Cóndor de oro | BodyGuard2 | ||
| 1997 | Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story | Greg Louganis | TV movie |
| The Journey: Absolution | Ryan Murphy | ||
| Killing Mr. Griffin | Dave Ruggles | TV movie | |
| 1999 | Eastside | Antonio Lopez | |
| 2000 | A Crack in the Floor | Lehman | |
| Big Brother Trouble | Coach | ||
| 2002 | Outta Time | David Morales | Alternative titles: The Courier Out of Time |
| King Rikki | Juan Vallejo | Alternative title: The Street King | |
| 2004 | The Soluna Project | Antonio | TV movie |
| 2005 | Aloha, Scooby-Doo! | Manu Tuiama/Mainland Surfer (Voice) | Direct to video release |
| 2006 | Unaccompanied Minors | Substitute Minors watcher | Film |
| 2006–2010 | Nip/Tuck | Dr. Mike Hamoui | TV |
| 2007 | George Lopez (TV series) | Police Officer | 2007 (1 episode) |
| 2007 | Holiday in Handcuffs | David Martin | TV movie |
| 2008 | Husband for Hire | Marco | TV movie |
| 2009 | The Dog Who Saved Christmas | Zeus the Dog (voice) | TV movie |
| 2008 - Present | America's Best Dance Crew | Himself | MTV |
| 2008 | Robot Chicken (episode: Boo Cocky) | A.C Slater (voice) | Television series (voice) |
| 2010 | Get Him to the Greek | Himself | |
| 2010–2011 | Mario Lopez: Saved By the Baby | Himself | VH1 (reality show) |
| 2010 | The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation | Zeus the Dog (voice) [21] | ABC Family TV Film, Sequel to The Dog Who Saved Christmas |
| 2011 | Honey 2 | Himself | Film |
| 2011 | H8R | Himself | Host |
| 2011 | The Talk | Himself | Guest |
[edit] References
- ^ "Celebrity Central: Mario Lopez". People.com. undated. http://www.people.com/people/mario_lopez.
- ^ "Mario Lopez Biography (1973-)". Filmreference.com. http://www.filmreference.com/film/40/Mario-Lopez.html. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
- ^ a b "Q&A: Mario Lopez Suits Up in Women's Lingerie". Newsweek. http://www.newsweek.com/blogs/pop-vox/2009/10/14/q-amp-a-mario-lopez-suits-up-in-women-s-lingerie.html. Retrieved 2010-09-12. "Do you go to church? "Every week. Nice Catholic boy.""
- ^ Quirk, Mary Beth (2010-10-13). "OK! EXCLUSIVE PIC: Mario Lopez & His Bundle of Joy!". OK!. http://www.okmagazine.com/2010/10/ok-exclusive-pic-mario-lopez-his-bundle-of-joy/. Retrieved 2010-10-16. "“I come from a big, loud Mexican Catholic family,” Mario tells OK!."
- ^ "Infidelities: Mario Lopez & Ali Landry". Latina. http://www.latina.com/infidelities-mario-lopez-ali-landry. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
- ^ Allis, Tim (1992-11-30). "Saturday's Star". People. http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20109196,00.html. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. (2006-07-02). "Lopez's B&B Stay Over". soapcentral.com. http://www.soapcentral.com/bb/news/2006/0703-lopez.php. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
- ^ "Mario Lopez Gets VH1 Reality Show". TVGuide.com. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Lopez-Reality-Show-1020557.aspx.
- ^ "Pageant of the Masters". 2010-08-27. http://www.foapom.com.
- ^ "Mario Lopez showed off his abs and sexy underwear range 'RatedM' on The Wendy Williams Show". Unreality TV. 06 February 2012. http://spoilerville.unrealitytv.com/mario-lopez-showed-off-his-abs-and-sexy-underwear-range-ratedm-on-the-wendy-williams-show-pictures. Retrieved 06 February 2012.
- ^ "PHOTO CALL: Mario Lopez Honored with Painting at Tony's Di Napoli". Playbill News. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/119844.html.
- ^ "Mario Lopez Joins 'A Chorus Line' on April 15". BroadwayWorld.com. http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=25696. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
- ^ Schuessler, Jennifer (2010-06-06). "Bestseller New York Times - Hardcover Advice & Misc. - 06/06/10". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2010-06-06/hardcover-advice/list.html. Retrieved 2011-02-08.
- ^ "Mario Lopez makes childrens book". inquisitr.com. http://www.inquisitr.com/125086/mario-lopez-to-release-childrens-book-in-september/. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
- ^ a b Mark Armstrong, Ulrica Wihlborg (2004-05-12). "Landry, Lopez Split After 2-Week Marriage". People. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,636482,00.html. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ Rizzo, Monica (2010-03-10). "Mario Lopez: I'm Going to Be a Dad! - Babies, Mario Lopez". People.com. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20350291,00.html. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
- ^ "It's a Girl for Mario Lopez & Courtney Mazza". People.com. 2010-09-12. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20425204,00.html. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ "Mario Lopez and Courtney Mazza Welcome a Baby Girl!". ExtraTV.com. 2010-09-12. http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2010/09/mario_lopez_and_courtney_mazza_welcome_a_baby_girl.php. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ "Mario Lopez Engaged to Courtney Mazza!". US Weekly. 2012-01-04. http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/mario-lopez-engaged-to-courtney-mazza-201241. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
- ^ "Mike Huckabee Interviews Mario Lopez - 05/08/10". YouTube. 2009-10-29. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au17LJ8cIbM. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1691012/
[edit] External links
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Wikinews has related news: Mario Lopez favored to win Dancing with the Stars |
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jerry Rice & Anna Trebunskaya |
Dancing with the Stars (US) runner up Season 3 (Fall 2006 with Karina Smirnoff) |
Succeeded by Joey Fatone & Kym Johnson |
| Media offices | ||
| Preceded by J. D. Roth |
Host of Masters of the Maze 1995–1996 |
Succeeded by series cancelled |
| Preceded by Nancy O'Dell and Carlos Ponce |
Hosts of Miss Universe with Vanessa Minnillo 2007 |
Succeeded by Jerry Springer and Melanie Brown |
| Preceded by James Denton |
Host of Miss America 2007 |
Succeeded by Mark Steines |
| Preceded by Mark Steines |
Host of Miss America 2009-2010 |
Succeeded by Chris Harrison |
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- 1973 births
- Actors from San Diego, California
- American child actors
- American infotainers
- American soap opera actors
- American television actors
- American television personalities
- American Roman Catholics
- Actors from California
- Hispanic and Latino American actors
- Living people
- American television sports announcers
- Boxing commentators
- American people of Mexican descent
- Hispanic and Latino American people
- Participants in American reality television series
- People from Chula Vista, California
- People from San Diego, California
- American writers
